VA 2010 Science SOL Revisions & Next Generation Science Standards: Status A Short Summary for Policy-Makers

Jim Batterson VSBA Annual Conference Williamsburg, VA November 17, 2011 Thom Pinelli [email protected]

Jim Batterson [email protected]

Outline

• Define our terms!

• Good K-12 STEM Standards - Process • VA K-12 Science • VA K-12 Engineering • Next Generation Science Stds (National)

STEM Components & Innovation Defined

•

Science

– the

study

of the physical world and its manifestations, especially through systematic observation and experiments.

•

Technology

– the application of scientific and engineering knowledge to achieve a

practical result

.

•

Engineering

– the creation or development of new devices and objects that are of

importance or value

to humans and society.

•

Mathematics

– a branch of pure science or philosophy (logic) that in its

applied

state can be used to help make quantitative analysis and predictions for science, technology, and engineering.

Innovation

– Creation of new

value

The 2010 Gulf Oil Spill: Scientists’ & Engineers’ Roles

The Saturday May 29

NY Times

had two articles correctly emphasizing the difference in focus of engineers versus scientists (though both rely heavily on one another's work in the end) pg A10: "Little Headway on Leak is Made by Engineers" pg A11: "Scientists Build a Case for Undersea Plumes" Scientists are focused on discovery and understanding; Engineers are focused on solving a societal problem

Example 1:

Humans to the Moon and Safely Home

Need for National Response to Sputnik/Cold War/Missile Gap Carried out by :

Engineers & many other professions & skills

Innovation

– Humans to the Moon and Safely Return Engineers, Technicians & Scientists Scientists & Engineers Mathematicians

Technology

– Rockets, Protective Clothing, Computers

Science

– Newton’s Laws of Motion/Gravitation, Chemistry

Mathematics

– Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus

Three Skill-sets Must Play Together for Good STEM Standards

University Gov’t labs Industry Good STEM Standards Practicing Scientists & Engineers Subject Matter Experts What is Taught K-12 Teachers & Schools of Ed Pedagogy Experts State Departments of Education Stds Writing Experts How It’s Taught* How It is “Catalogued” * Including appropriate age/grade level

Bringing a Broad Practitioners’ Perspective to VA K-12 STEM Standards

• Virginia Secretary of Education and NASA co-sponsor panels of scientists and engineers to carry out independent standards review in 2007 – Capstone science courses of chemistry & physics – K-12 program in engineering • Science panels’ findings will inform State Board of Education 2010 septennial science SOL (standards) Review

Distribution of Panelists in 2007 VA SOL Gap Analysis

• University – UVA – VA Tech – W&M – HU – CNU – JMU – VCU/J. Sargent Reynolds CC • Research Labs – Jefferson Lab (DOE) – NSWC – Dahlgren (DOD) – NSWC – Indian Head (DOD) – NASA – Langley (Exec Agency) – NASA – Johnson (Exec Agency) – Naval Research Lab (DOD) – University of Southern California – ODU • Industry • K-12 – Chantilly Academy Fairfax – Jamestown High School – Northrop-Grumman – Appomattox Gov School – Micron Technology – LUNA Innovations – Newport News Public Schools – Piedmont Governor’s School – National Institute of Aerospace – Lockheed Martin but did cover “A to W” (Astronaut to Weed Scientist!) *This is unique in that K-12 SOL committees are often populated almost entirely by K-12 people

Charge to Scientist Panels

• Charge to Panels: What (physics/chemistry) content do the 80% 90% of Virginia’s high school students* who rely on SOL (state standards) need to know to participate in political, economic, social, and technological world of the 21 st century?

– Preparing to be a competent citizen: Not about advanced science *In 2006-07, 14.6% of VA high school students took AP, 1% were in governor’s schools, 0.3% in IB

Findings & Recommendations

• Finding: VA Science SOL are very well written & articulated BUT reflect a century old approach to science with content dated to the 1960’s (Sputnik era) • Recommendations (Science)

– Move from a discipline-centric curriculum in high school to “Science & Engineering 1,2,3,4”, or – Adopt Leon Lederman’s “ARISE” program which teaches physics first, followed by chemistry, and then biology, or – At a minimum, replace some outdated content in the current courses with 21st century content

SOL as Found in 2007 (2003 revision) • Cathode ray tubes (TV picture tubes) were taught but not transistors, LED, LCD, or plasmas • In a world that, one might argue, is dominated by molecular biology, organic chemistry had been removed from the chemistry course standards in 2003 • Nuclear physics was limited to protons (1919) and neutrons (1932), with no mention of their quark (1964) components • Modern investigative technologies and methodologies such as modeling and simulation and “ lab on a chip ” were absent •Nanoscale behaviors and nanotechnology were not mentioned 2010 SOL & Curriculum Framework Excerpts (Good News!) • Fifth graders, physical science, chemistry, and physics students will be introduced to

nanotechnology

; • Physical science, chemistry, and physics students will now learn about

quarks

, the currently accepted building blocks of protons and neutrons; • Grades six through twelve will use

modeling and simulation

in their scientific • • investigations;

LED ’ s, diodes and transistors Plasmas

are in physical science; as a fourth state of matter has joined solids, liquids, and gases in physical science and chemistry. • Chemistry meets 21 st century (molecular) biology as students explicitly see

RNA, DNA, and amino acids

in both courses. • Pluto is introduced as a member of a new category of

dwarf

earth science.

planets in 6 th grade and

But What About the “E” of STEM?

Scientists & Engineers

Example of a Complex NASA Planetary Lander System Project

*Science requirements for instruments defined by scientists*

Integration of multiple models as noted in a typical Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Simulation

Scientists provide; Engineers use Engineers Engineers Mars Global Surveyer/Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter

Some Selected Findings & Recommendations from the 2007 Engineering Panel

There is no institutionalized “STEM” program in VA - we have MST (pronounce “muztuh”) -Engineering is classified as CTE (not Instruction) at VA DOE where, over the past 15 years, there have been several initiatives (from CTE) to promote some engineering in the state, -However, engineering is not required for students in VA, nor is it generally available to all students.

Engineering Design Process differs from Scientific Method, is the parent of technological innovation, and should be required content in VA Women and minorities continue to be under-represented in engineering profession There are myriad national and local programs for students to have engineering experiences but, in Virginia, ONLY IF their local school or school division takes the initiative

“Turnkey” S&E in K-12 STEM

• Curricula “E” Examples: • Extra-curricula “E”: – Project Lead The Way (HS) – PLTW Gateways (MS) – VA Children’s Engineering (K-5) • Annual Conf in February – Engineering is Elementary (K-5) – Project Infinity (HS) – Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) (HS global) – Governor’s academies and schools – VA MathScience Innovation Center 2015 plan – FIRST • Junior Lego League, FIRST LEGO, FIRST Tech , FIRST Robotics – Sea Perch (ONR, MIT) – SNAME (Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers) Boatbuilding (K 12) – Future Cities (National Engineers Week) – Egg Drop Contest (ASME & others) – F1 in Schools (Formula One racing) – Science & Engineering Fairs – NASA “VASTS” – STIHL Summer Program

THEORY Theoretical Physics HANDS-ON Experimental Physics

Discover languages to quantitatively describe existing world Discover & describe existing world

Algebraist Geometer Topologist Statistician Physicist Chemist Biologist Research MD Astronomer Geologist

Design & build new systems Fabricate & operate new systems

Aerospace Automotive Chemical Electronics Computer Civil Model & Simulation Research Surgeon Wind Tunnel Aircraft Maintenance Airframe/Powerplant Particle Detectors Integrated Circuits 4-yr College (+) 4-yr College (+)

Traditional Academic [email protected]

– May 2007

4-yr College (+) 2-yr college/OJT

Current K 12 “Gap”

* Sometimes “Instrument Maker”

Build or repair existing systems/components

Traditional Welding HVAC Electricity Plumbing Electronics Manufacturing (Surgeon 19 th C.) 21st Century A+ Comp Repair Comp Network Admin CISCO Network ORACLE Internet CAD Model & Simulation HS with National Certifications

CTE

VA General Assembly Joint Resolution SJ 308 (2011) In part…… WHERE AS, innovation is born directly of engineering rather than science and mathematics; and WHERE AS, the engineering design process diff ers from the scientifi c method; and WHERE AS, engineering design leads to the manufacture or fabrication of a product that meets design requirements and constraints; and WHERE AS, engineering teachers require a significant background in the engineering design process and the manufacture to specifi cations process as well as science, mathematics, and technology education; and WHERE AS, mastery in the engineering design process or manufacture to specifi cations process is not required of science and mathematics teachers; and WHERE AS, mastery in science and mathematics is not required of technology education teachers; ….

Therefore Be It ….

RESO LVED by the [ Senate, the House of Delegates ] concurr ing, that the Department of Educa tion be requested to establi sh shared goals for an engineering program of study, and assign a shared responsibili ty for this program between the existing science, mathematics, and technology discipli nes. RESO LVED FURTHER, T hat K-12 engineering not be subsumed by just one curr iculum domain, but only taught in conjunction with science, mathematics, and technology education by teachers with appropriate training in the engineering design process, the scientifi c method, science, and manufacture to specifi cations and constraints. **Report from VDOE to General Assembly due in January**

Next Generation Science Standards (National) • National Research Council (NRC) “

Framework

” published July 2011 (one year after public comment)

– Previous national standards documents dated (NSES - 1996; AAAS Benchmarks -1993; Committee of Ten-1894) – Lead committee of 18 university scientists, engineers, & educators plus 4 multi-faceted design teams

• Non-profit “Achieve, Inc” responsible for managing development of “S

tandards

”

– Will fit within NRC

Framework

as content guidance – Delivered in late 2012 – National in scope but carried out by states • Carried out by 20 lead state partners & additional writing team members from 13 more states (writing team member from VA) – Critical stakeholders review • Business & industry, Workforce development, K12, Subject matter experts, State stds & assessments, …

A Framework for K-12 Science Education Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K 12 Science Education Standards

(National Research Council of the National Academies) July 19, 2011 “The committee recommends that science education in grades K-12 be built around three major dimensions. These dimensions are: • Scientific and engineering practices; • Crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science and • engineering through their common application across fields; Core ideas in four disciplinary areas: physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering, technology, and the applications of science”* *Executive Summary, page ES-1

Some Example NRC Grade 12 Guidelines & “Boundaries” “Knowledge of quantum physics enabled the development of semi conductors, computer chips, and lasers, all of which are essential components of modern imaging, communication, and information technology.

BOUNDARY: Details of quantum physics are not formally taught at this grade level.” “…the states (I.e. solid, liquid, gas,

plasma

)…..” “Information can be digitized (e.g. a picture stored as the values of an array of pixels); in this form, it can be stored reliably in computer memory and sent over long distances as a series of wave pulses.” “When a system has a large number of component pieces, one may not be able to predict much about its precise future; For such systems (e.g. with very many colliding molecules), one can often predict average, but not detailed properties and behaviors…” “…atoms have a charged substructure of a nucleus (made from protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons….

BOUNDARY: The following topics are not required: the structures within protons and neutrons; the existence of quarks…”

VA is already putting in place from 2010 Science SOL revision…

National Research Council’s “A Framework for K-12 Science Education (July 2011) “ Models, particularly modern computer simulations that encode relevant physical laws and properties of materials, can be especially helpful both in realizing and testing designs for structures such as buildings, bridges, or aircraft, that are expensive to construct and that must survive extreme conditions that occur only on rare occasions” (pg 3-8) “By grade 12, students should be able to (pg 3-14): •“ Recognize that computer simulations are based on mathematical models that incorporate underlying assumptions about the phenomena or systems being studied.” •“Use simple test-cases of mathematical expressions, computer programs, or simulations - that is, compare their outcomes with what is known about the real world to see if they “make sense”.”

Summary and Some Final Thoughts

• VA Science SOL/CF much improved (implement 2012-13 school year) – Teacher training needed in content – Local tech industries embed STEM teachers in summer • VA does not institutionalize Engineering – Engineering not recognized as teacher “endorsement” – Think about a “Science & Engineering” Dept – Possible VSBA policy position?

• Next Gen Science Standards will emphasize science and engineering - due out late 2012 • Many opportunities for engineering in both curriculum and extra-curricula activities - BUT must be local initiative – VA Children’s Engineering (K-5) is a must do!

– Make PLTW or equivalent available to ALL students

Backup Slide

Example 3:

Air Transportation Vehicle (Practical Airplane)

Military needs for WW I Carried out by :

Engineers & many other professions & skills

Innovation

– Curtis Jenny and other practical airplanes Engineers, Technicians

Technology

– Wright Flyer (Prototype for a

practical

airplane) Engineers, Technicians & Scientists Scientists & Engineers

Technology

– Internal combustion engine, Wind tunnel, Wing warping

Science

– Newton’s Laws of Motion, Fluids, Chemistry Mathematicians

Mathematics

– Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry